Apparatus and methods for bagging organic and other materials

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for bagging organic and other material such as silage, compost, grain, sawdust, dirt, sand, etc., wherein plastic material is dispensed from a roll mounted on the bagging machine so that the plastic material is at least partially wrapped around the material being bagged as the bagging machine moves ahead during packing and filling.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/334,484 filed on Dec. 30, 2002, entitled “A METHOD AND MEANSFOR BAGGING ORGANIC AND OTHER MATERIAL.” The entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for bagging organic andother material such as silage, compost, grain, sawdust, dirt, sand,etc., and more particularly to apparatus and methods for dispensingplastic material from a roll mounted on a bagging machine so that theplastic material is at least partially wrapped around the material beingbagged as the bagging machine moves ahead during packing and filling.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Agricultural feed and compost bagging machines have been employed forseveral years to pack or bag silage, compost or the like into elongatedplastic bags. Two of the earliest bagging machines are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,687,061 and 4,046,068, the complete disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference for all purposes. In prior art baggingmachines, silage, compost, or the like is supplied to the forward orintake end of the bagging machine and is fed to a packing means such asa rotor, plunger, screw conveyor or the like which conveys the materialinto a tunnel on which the bag is positioned so that the bag is filled.As the silage is packed into the bag, the bagging machine moves awayfrom the filled end of the bag in a controlled fashion so as to achieveuniform compaction of the silage material within the bag. The emptyelongated plastic bags are in a folded condition and are initiallypositioned over the tunnel or forming means of the machine.

In the present state of the art, the manufacturers of the plasticsilage/compost bag must blow or extrude the plastic into a tubular/bagshape, roll it onto a core, fold it into a collar, and then put the sameinto a box or container, which is palleted for shipping. Once the box isdelivered to the field, it may take several men and a crane to lift thebag out of the box and feed it by hand over and onto the tunnel. The bagis then laboriously pushed onto the tunnel until the bag is gathered atthe forward end of the tunnel so that the bag is ready for filling andpacking.

A major disadvantage and cost of the current method of manufacturingplastic bags for use on bagging machines is the sophisticated andexpensive machinery required by the manufacturers to fold the bags afterthe blowing or extruding process. Only a few manufacturers have suchcostly machines, and they pass the processing and material costs ontothe end user. Secondly, the extra steps necessary to convert the roll ofplastic into bags, fold the bags into boxes, load the individual boxesinto a larger container for shipping, and then transport and deliverthose boxes to the consumers adds time, packaging, space requirements,handling equipment, manpower and disposal costs to the entire process.

A further problem created by the present method of putting a plastic bagonto a bagging machine is the physical strain and danger to the men whoload the bag onto the tunnel. The newer, bigger bags (14′×500′) weigh upto 1200 lbs and the industry trend is for even larger tunnels and evenlonger bags.

There is a need to replace the old process of manufacturing the bags andthe installation of the same on the bagging machines to reducemanufacturing and handling costs, improve safety and worker ergonomics,and eliminate the stranglehold a few manufacturers have on bagdistributors and consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Apparatus and methods for bagging organic and other material such ascompost, silage, grain, sawdust, dirt, sand, etc., are described. Themethod of bagging the material comprises the steps of: (1) providing amobile bagging machine having rearward and forward ends, a materialreceiving means at the forward end thereof, a material packing means incommunication with the material receiving means, and a rearwardlyextending material forming or shaping enclosure, which may be in theform of a tunnel having an upper end, opposite sides and a lower end;(2) positioning a roll of flexible plastic material on the baggingmachine; and (3) causing the plastic material to unroll from the roll,as material is forced through the tunnel, and to pass around the tunnelto partially or completely enclose the material being discharged fromthe tunnel. The plastic material forms a bag-like enclosure in which thematerial is placed. Optionally, the method may include the step ofcontrolling the packing density of the material being bagged.

As used herein, the term “bag” refers to a flexible container orenclosure which extends partially around or completely around materialto partially or completely enclose the same. The apparatus forperforming the method comprises a mobile frame having rearward andforward ends; a material receiving means on the mobile frame means; amaterial packing means on the mobile frame means in communication withthe material receiving means; a rearwardly extending material forming orshaping enclosure, which may be in the form of a tunnel, incommunication with the material packing means; and a roll of flexibleplastic material mounted on the mobile frame means. Optionally, theapparatus further includes a density control assembly operativelycoupled to the bagging machine. The plastic material is pulled from theroll as the bagging machine moves forwardly during the baggingoperation. The plastic material passes partially or completely aroundthe tunnel to at least partially enclose the material being dischargedfrom the tunnel. Various means for causing the plastic material to passaround the tunnel and at least partially beneath the tunnel aredisclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bagging machine having a roll ofplastic material mounted thereon with the plastic material being pulledfrom the roll to at least partially enclose the material being bagged;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a bagging machine having a roll of plasticmaterial mounted above the tunnel;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 except that the roll of plasticmaterial has been extended around the tunnel;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one form of the plastic material;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of the plastic material;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a slitter operatively coupled tothe bagging machine;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the bagging machine illustrating an example ofa plastic material guide assembly;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the bagging machine illustrating the side edgesof the plastic material being spaced apart;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 except that the side edges of theplastic material have been overlapped;

FIG. 10 is a partial side view illustrating the manner in which theplastic material is passed through the guide assembly;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view illustrating an example of the guideassembly;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13A is a partial rear perspective view of a bagging machineincluding an apparatus for adjusting the size of the bag formed by theplastic material as it passes around the tunnel;

FIG. 13B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a rear perspective view of a bagging machine including anapparatus for smoothing out the plastic material as it passes around thetunnel;

FIG. 14B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating an example of the guide assemblyaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view illustrating the material having beenpartially enclosed in the plastic material; and

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 except that the material has beencompletely enclosed within the plastic material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 refers to a bagging machine such asmanufactured by Versa Corporation, Astoria, Oreg. The bagging machine isintended to bag organic material such as compost, silage, grain,sawdust, etc., within a bag. The machine 10 may also be used to bag dirtor sand to create temporary dikes during flooding. Machine 10 is seen toinclude a wheeled frame 12 having a forwardly extending tongue or hitch14 adapted to be connected to a prime mover such as a tractor, truck,etc. Gear box 16 is provided on frame 12 and is driven by a PTO shaft 18connected to the PTO on the tractor. Although frame 12 shown in thedrawings is wheeled, it is possible that the wheels could be omitted.Further, the machine 10 could be truck mounted such as seen in U.S. Pat.No. 5,784,865. Additionally, the machine 10 could be self propelled suchas illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,472. The complete disclosures ofboth of the above-identified patents are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes. For purposes of description, machine 10 willbe described as having a forward end 20 and a rearward end 22.

Machine 10 is provided with a material receiving means 24 at its forwardend which may be in the form of: (1) a feed table such as seen in U.S.Pat. No. 5,297,377; (2) a hopper such as seen in U.S. Pat. No.5,398,736; (3) a feed mechanism such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,396,753; (4) a feed mechanism such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,367,860; or (5) a hopper such as seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,140,802;5,419,102; and 5,724,793. The complete disclosures of theabove-identified patents are hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes. The purpose of the material receiving means is to receive thematerial to be bagged and deliver the same to a material packing means26 positioned at the forward end of a material shaping or formingenclosure 28.

The material packing means may be: (1) a rotor such as shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,396,753; 5,297,377; 5,799,472; 5,295,554; (2) a screwconveyor such as seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,140,802 or 5,419,102; (3) aplunger such as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,793; or (4) the packingfingers described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,061. The complete disclosuresof the above-identified patents are hereby incorporated by reference forall purposes.

With reference to FIG. 7, the material forming or shaping enclosure isillustrated as a tunnel 28. The size (diameter) of the tunnel 28 willdepend on the desired bag diameter. The tunnel 28 may be semi-circularor substantially semi-circular. For example, the tunnel may havevertical straight portions on the opposing sides connected by an arcuateportion on the top. Alternatively, the tunnel may be formed from one ormore arcuate portions having the same or different radii of curvature.As used herein, “diameter” refers to the distance between opposinginterior surfaces of the tunnel, whether semi-circular or substantiallysemi-circular.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, a face plate 30 may be secured tothe forward end of the tunnel with the face plate 30 being secured tothe frame of the machine. In some machines, the face plate ispermanently mounted on the machine with the tunnel being secured to theface plate. Various tunnels are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,899,247;5,396,753; 5,297,377; 5,799,472; 5,398,736; 5,355,659; 5,295,554;5,140,802; 5,419,102; 5,421,142; 5,724,793; and 5,894,713. The completedisclosures of the above-identified patents are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes. Normally, the tunnel 28 will include a topwall 32, side walls 34 and 36, and at least a partial bottom wall 38.Face plate 30 may include an opening 40 through which the materialpasses to the interior of the tunnel when a rotor is utilized as thepacking means. If plungers, screw conveyors, etc., are utilized as thepacking means, the face plate may or may not be included and opening 40will be omitted.

While not required, bagging machines 10 of the present disclosure mayalso include a density control assembly. A density control assembly asused herein refers to structures or devices that are coupled to thebagging machine and used to control or adjust the packing density of thematerial be packed into the bag. A variety of density control assembliesand methods may be implemented with the bagging machine of the presentdisclosure some examples of which include backstop control systems,internal control systems, and drag resistance control systems.

In early bagging machines, a backstop structure yieldably engaged theclosed end of the agricultural bag to resist the movement of the baggingmachine away from the filled end of the agricultural bag as silage isforced into the bag. These machines included a pair of drums rotatablymounted on the bagging machine with a brake associated therewith forbraking or resisting the rotation of the drum with a selected brakeforce. A cable is wrapped around the drum and is connected to thebackstop. Examples of such bagging machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,687,061 and 4,046,068, previously incorporated by reference.

In more recent bagging machines, an internal density control assemblyincluding one or more cables was positioned in the flow of theagricultural material being bagged. In order to vary the packing densityof the material in the machine, more or less cables would be employedbased on the material being packed. For example, corn silage flows easyand would require more cables while alfalfa packs hard and would usefewer cables. One example of such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 13Awhere a cable loop 106 is formed with the ends 108 thereof coupled tothe tunnel 28. The configuration of cable loop shown in FIG. 13A is oneof many cable loop configurations within the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, more than one cable loop may be used.Additionally, the ends 108 of the cable loop may be coupled to theinside or the outside of the-tunnel 28, may be coupled to the faceplate, may be coupled to the bagging machine with an assembly foradjusting the width or length of the loop, may be coupled to the baggingmachine in a non-parallel pattern where two or more of the cable loopscross each other, or may be coupled to the bagging machine with ananchor coupled to the rearward portion of the loop. Examples of theseand other alternative configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,297,377; 5,425,220; 5,463,849; 5,464,049; 5,517,806; 5,671,594;5,775,069; 5,671,594; 5,857,313; and 6,694,711, the complete disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Other arrangements have been used to control the packing density of thematerial being packed into the bag, one example of which is shown inFIG. 14A where a single cable 110 extends rearwardly from the baggingmachine 10 and includes an anchor disposed at the rearward end 112. Thelength of the cable 110 behind the bagging machine 10 may be fixed oradjustable. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that morethan one cable can be used with or without anchors. When an anchor iscoupled to the rearward end 112 of the cable 110, the size andconfiguration of the anchor may be fixed or adjustable. In the exampleshown in FIG. 14A, the V-shaped anchor 114 may be adjustable to have agreater or smaller angle between the arms of the V. Alternatively, aninflatable anchor may be used that can expand or contract as needed or ascrew anchor may be used. Examples of these and other alternativeconfigurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,655,116; 6,443,194; andRE38,020, the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

More recently, drag resistance density control assemblies have beendeveloped using belts or straps disposed between the bagged material andthe ground. In these embodiments, a drag member, such as one or morebelts or straps, is attached to the bagging machine or the tunnel andextends rearwardly behind the tunnel. The drag member is positionedbetween the bagged material and the ground and may be disposed insidethe bag or outside the bag. The weight of the bagged material on thedrag member slows the advance of the bagging machine and increases thepacking density of the agricultural material in the bag. The packingdensity of the material in the bag may be established prior to beginningthe bagging operation or may be adjusted as the bag is being filled. Thepacking density is established or adjusted, at least in part, bycontrolling the amount of drag member surface area disposed under theweight of the bagged material. Density control assemblies foragricultural bagging machines that include drag members are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,748,724 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/867,593.The complete disclosures of the above-identified patent and patentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. Oneexample of a drag member 116 coupled to a bagging machine is illustratedin FIG. 11.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a support 42 is secured to the machine10 and extends upwardly therefrom adjacent the forward end of the tunnel28 for rotatably supporting a roll 44 of plastic material 46 thereon.The plastic material 46 is dispensed from a roll 44 mounted on thebagging machine so that the plastic material 46 is at least partiallywrapped around the agricultural material being bagged as the baggingmachine moves ahead during packing and filling. The plastic material 46is pulled from the roll 44, as shown in FIG. 2, and is positioned aroundthe tunnel 28 and at least partially beneath the tunnel so that theplastic material 46 forms a bag-like enclosure, as shown in FIG. 3.

The roll 44 may be disposed above the tunnel 28 as shown in FIGS. 1-3and may alternatively be disposed at other locations on the machine 10.Additionally, the roll 44 may be enclosed in a housing or canister. Itis also within the scope of the present disclosure that the plasticmaterial could be dispensed from a source such as a box or containermuch like garbage bags are dispensed.

The flexible plastic material of the present disclosure may be disposedon the roll either as a sheet having opposing ends and opposing sideedges or as an elongate tube. The sheet of plastic material havingopposing ends and opposing side edges may be formed by slitting anelongate tube prior to rolling the plastic material onto the roll or byslitting an elongate tube as the material is being rolled onto the roll.

When the plastic material 46 is a sheet, the sheet may be folded in atube-like shape such as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. The plastic material 46in FIG. 4 is what would be termed a single fold including a front layer48 and a back layer 50. The front layer may be slit at 52 at the factoryto form front layer portions 48a and 48b. The plastic material 46 onroll 44 may also be multi-layered, such as seen in FIG. 5, with a frontlayer 54, back layer 56, and side gusset layers 58 and 60 therebetween.Similar to the single fold shown in FIG. 4, front layer 54 may be slitat 62 at the factory to form front layers 54 a and 54 b.

When the flexible plastic material is disposed on the roll as anelongate tube, the tube may be slit as the plastic material is unrolledand positioned around the tunnel. A slitting device may be provided onsupport 42 or on machine 10 to slit the elongate tube. In someembodiments, the slitting device may slit the front layer as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. One example of a slitting device 53 disposed on support42 is shown in FIG. 6.

A pan 64 or other suitable support may be positioned below the forwardend of the tunnel 28 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. With reference to FIG. 7,the pan 64 may have rollers 66, 68, 70 and 72 rotatably mounted thereon.Although four rollers are illustrated, more or less rollers could beutilized. Rollers 74, 76, 78 and 80 are rotatably mounted on theunderside of floor 38 of tunnel 28 or other suitable support aboverollers 66, 68, 70 and 72, respectively. Referring to FIG. 10, theperipheries of the corresponding rollers may be disposed in operativeengagement with each other such that the flexible plastic material isallowed to pass therebetween and is moved in accordance with movement ofthe rollers. Although four rollers are illustrated, more or less rollerscould be utilized. The number of rollers on the underside of floor 38will correspond to the number of rollers on pan 64. In some embodiments,the rollers 74, 76, 78 and 80 may be angled inwardly somewhat withrespect to the centerline of-the tunnel so as to guide the plasticmaterial 46 inwardly towards the centerline of the tunnel as will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter.

As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the flexible plastic material ispositioned around the tunnel with the opposing side edges of the plasticmaterial disposed underneath the tunnel. In FIG. 8, the opposing sideedges are shown as being disposed in a spaced-apart relationship. Whenthe agricultural material is packed into the bag formed by theconfiguration in FIG. 8, the opposing side edges will be disposedbetween the bagged material and the ground with the ground surfaceclosing the bag, such as shown in FIG. 17. In FIG. 9, the opposing sideedges overlap and completely enclose the material being bagged. FIG. 18illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bag filled with theconfiguration shown in FIG. 9 with the overlapping side edges. When theside edges of the plastic material overlap, the overlapping portions maybe sealed to form a closed periphery. The overlapping portions may besealed in a variety of manners such as heat sealing, ultrasonic welding,adhesive sealing, or stapling. The rollers or wheels provided beneaththe tunnel ensure that the plastic material will be pulled beneath thematerial being bagged so that the plastic material will form thebag-like enclosures of FIGS. 17 and 18.

The plastic material 46 beneath the tunnel 28 may be guided towards thecenterline of the tunnel 28 through other plastic material guidingassemblies, one example of which is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In theembodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, a protective tongue or shield 82 extendsrearwardly from bottom wall 38 of tunnel 28. Elongated rollers 84 and 86are rotatably mounted beneath tongue 82 with the peripheries thereofbeing in engagement with each other. A pair of elongated rollers 88 and90 are also rotatably mounted beneath tongue 82 with the peripheriesthereof being in engagement with each other. As viewed in FIG. 12,rollers 84 and 90 are driven in a counterclockwise direction and rollers86 and 88 are rotated or driven in a clockwise direction by any suitablemeans. The coordinated rotation of rollers 84, 86, 88, and 90 move theopposing side edges of the plastic material in opposing directionsmoving the side edges toward the centerline of the tunnel 28.

Another example of an assembly for guiding the plastic material 46beneath the tunnel 28 towards the centerline of the tunnel isillustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. In the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16,rotatable wheels replace the rollers of FIGS. 7-9. A pair of smallwheels 92 and 94 replace the rollers 74 and 66 and a pair of smallwheels 96 and 98 replace the rollers 76 and 68. Similarly, although notillustrated, a pair of small wheels 92′ and 94′ replace the rollers 80and 82 and a pair of small wheels 96 and 98′ replace the rollers 78 and70. Although four pairs of small wheels are shown, any number of pairsof wheels could be utilized. Wheels 92, 96 and 92′, 96′ are rotatablysecured to floor 38 while wheels 94, 98 and 94′, 98′ are rotatablysecured to pan 64 or other suitable support. Wheels 92, 94 are,inengagement with one another, as viewed in FIG. 16, with driven wheel 92being in engagement with wheel 94. Wheel 92 is rotatably driven by anyconvenient means so that rotation of wheel 92 also causes wheel 94 to berotatably driven. The peripheries of wheels 96 and 98 are in engagementwith one another in the same manner as wheels 92 and 94 with wheel 96being driven thereby also causing wheel 98 to rotate. Wheels 92′, 94′,96′ and 98′ are similarly mounted and driven.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a sizing assembly to adjust the diameter ofthe bag formed by the plastic material as it passes over the tunnel. InFIGS. 13A and 13B, a substantially U-shaped member 100 having a shroud101 secured thereto extends around the tunnel with the plastic materialpassing thereover. The member 100 and the rearward end of shroud 101 areselectively vertically adjusted by an adjustment means 101A (FIG. 13B)to adjust the size of the shroud and the bag formed by the plasticmaterial passing thereover.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a smoothing assembly to smooth out wrinklesthat may be present in the plastic material as it passes around thetunnel. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, a plurality of balls or rollers 102 arerotatably mounted on a flexible cable 104 or the like with the balls orrollers 102 being in engagement with the exterior surface of tunnel 28.The rotation of the balls smoothes out the plastic material as theplastic material passes between the balls and the tunnel.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multipledistinct inventions with independent utility. While each of theseinventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specificembodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obviouscombinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features,functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Where the disclosure orsubsequently filed claims recite “a” or “a first” element or theequivalent thereof, it should be within the scope of the presentinventions that such disclosure or claims may be understood to includeincorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring norexcluding two or more such elements.

Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to certaincombinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of thedisclosed inventions and are believed to be novel and non-obvious.Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations offeatures, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed throughamendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in that or arelated application. Such amended or new claims, whether they aredirected to a different invention or directed to the same invention,whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the originalclaims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of theinventions of the present disclosure.

1. A method of bagging material, comprising the steps of: providing amobile bagging machine having rearward and forward ends and a rearwardlyextending tunnel; positioning a roll of flexible plastic material onsaid bagging machine; causing said plastic material to unroll from saidroll as material is forced through said tunnel and to pass around saidtunnel to at least partially enclose the material being discharged fromsaid tunnel; and controlling the packing density of the material atleast partially enclosed by the plastic material.
 2. The method of claim1 wherein the material at least partially enclosed comprises organicmaterial.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said plastic material passingaround the tunnel has opposing side edges.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein said plastic material forms a bag-like enclosure in which thematerial is placed.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said opposing sideedges of said plastic material are positioned below the material in ahorizontally spaced-apart manner.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein saidside edges of said plastic material are positioned below the material inan overlapping manner.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said overlappingside edges of said plastic material are sealed together.
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein the plastic material on the roll includes a foldedsheet material having opposing sides.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereinthe plastic material on the roll includes tubular material; and whereinthe method further comprises the step of slitting the tubular materialprior to passing the plastic material around the tunnel to create asheet having opposing side edges.
 10. The method of claim 3 furthercomprising the step of passing the plastic material through a guideassembly operatively coupled to the tunnel.
 11. The method of claim 10wherein the guide assembly is adapted to draw the opposing side edges ofthe plastic material toward a centerline of the tunnel.
 12. The methodof claim 1 wherein the material being at least partially enclosed by theplastic material includes at least one of agricultural material, silagematerial, waste material, or compost material.
 13. The method of claim 1further comprising the step of passing the flexible plastic materialover a sizing assembly as the plastic material passes around the tunnel.14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of passing theflexible plastic material through a smoothing assembly as the plasticmaterial passes around the tunnel. 15-24. (canceled)
 25. A baggingmachine for bagging material, comprising: a mobile frame having rearwardand forward ends; a rearwardly extending tunnel operatively coupled tothe mobile frame; a density control assembly operatively coupled to thetunnel; and a roll of flexible plastic material mounted on said mobileframe, wherein said plastic material is pulled from said roll as thebagging machine moves forwardly during the bagging operation, whereinsaid plastic material passes at least partially around said tunnel to atleast partially enclose the material being discharged from said tunnelin a bag-like enclosure, and wherein said plastic material has opposingside edges as it passes at least partially around said tunnel.
 26. Thebagging machine of claim 25 wherein the plastic material on the rollincludes a folded sheet material having opposing sides.
 27. The baggingmachine of claim 25 wherein the plastic material on the roll includestubular material; and wherein the bagging machine further comprises aslitter operatively coupled to the mobile frame and adapted to slit thetubular material to create a sheet having opposing side edges.
 28. Thebagging machine of claim 25 wherein said roll of flexible plastic sheetmaterial is mounted on said mobile frame means above said materialforming means.
 29. The bagging machine of claim 25 wherein said roll offlexible plastic sheet material is rotatably mounted on said mobileframe means.
 30. The bagging machine of claim 25 further including aplastic material guide assembly.
 31. The bagging machine of claim 30wherein said plastic material guide assembly positions said opposingside edges of said plastic material beneath said tunnel.
 32. The baggingmachine of claim 30 wherein said plastic material guide assemblypositions said opposing side edges of said plastic material beneath saidtunnel in a horizontally spaced-apart relationship.
 33. The baggingmachine of claim 30 wherein said plastic material guide assemblypositions said opposing side edges of said plastic material beneath saidtunnel in an overlapping relationship.
 34. The bagging machine of claim30 wherein said plastic material guide assembly comprises guide rollers.35. The bagging machine of claim 34 wherein said guide rollers aredriven.
 36. The bagging machine of claim 30 wherein said plasticmaterial guide assembly comprises guide wheels.
 37. The bagging machineof claim 36 wherein said guide wheels are driven.
 38. The baggingmachine of claim 30 wherein said plastic material guide assembly ispositioned beneath said tunnel.
 39. The bagging machine of claim 25wherein the material being at least partially enclosed by the plasticmaterial includes at least one of agricultural material, silagematerial, waste material, or compost material.
 40. The bagging machineof claim 25, wherein the bag-like enclosure has a diameter and furthercomprising a sizing assembly operatively coupled to the tunnel to adjustthe diameter of the bag-like enclosure formed by the plastic material.41. The bagging machine of claim 25 further comprising a smoothingassembly operatively coupled to the tunnel to smooth the plasticmaterial passing around the tunnel. 42-53. (canceled)
 54. A baggingmachine for bagging material, comprising: a mobile frame having rearwardand forward ends; a rearwardly extending tunnel operatively coupled tothe mobile frame; a density control assembly operatively coupled to thetunnel; and a source of flexible plastic material mounted on said mobileframe, wherein said plastic material is pulled from said source as thebagging machine moves forwardly during the bagging operation, whereinsaid plastic material passes at least partially around said tunnel to atleast partially enclose the material being discharged from said tunnelin a bag-like enclosure, and wherein said plastic material has opposingside edges as it passes at least partially around said tunnel.
 55. Amethod of bagging material, comprising the steps of: providing a mobilebagging machine having rearward and forward ends and a rearwardlyextending tunnel; positioning a source of flexible plastic material onsaid bagging machine; causing said plastic material to dispense fromsaid source as material is forced through said tunnel and to pass aroundsaid tunnel to at least partially enclose the material being dischargedfrom said tunnel; and controlling the packing density of the material atleast partially enclosed by the plastic material.